After a disappointing 5th game for both fans and the players alike, yesterday at Game 6 of the 2010 NBA Finals we saw a complete overhaul in performance, as breaking away from a one-man show, the LA Lakers seemed better composed with all their players in good sync with each other, thus helping the team playing at the Staples Center secure a comfortable win over the Boston Celtics, with a final score line of 89-67.
Yesterday’s game was good for many reasons for the Lakers; the most important of them being that firstly Kobe Bryant was not the only one playing in isolation, and secondly that the chemistry of the team finally seems to be gelling, that too before the all important game seven of the championships.
So what is it that the Lakers did right this time around that they had not been doing before? To start off with, the Lakers seemed finally dedicated to executing the triangle instead of just Kobe Bryant trying to make a basket, and at the same time we saw some great passing, cutting, and harmonious movement. It was because of this team effort that the Celtics defenders could not zone in on Bryant.
Then, to continue their dominance, Kobe attacked quicker with the ball, dribbled less, and thus gave no chance to the men from Boston to lock in their defence.
Adding to this misery for Celtics were Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Ron Artest and the Lakers' reserves who all chipped in at the right times of the game.
Gasol's near triple double of 17 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists were the highlight of the match, as well as Artest's 15 point contribution.
However, the most important reason behind the Lakers’ fabulous victory was the tight defence which restricted Boston to only a 33 percent shooting figure from the field and thus a total of only 67 points, which is the second lowest point total in the NBA Finals history.
Why this victory means so much for the LA Lakers is because many sporting critics, experts and fans had declared the Lakers' season over after their dismal showing in game five.
But the results are in, and the series has taken an unprecedented turn to bring the pendulum back in the favour of the Lakers, thus setting up an epic battle in the all important game seven.
So then what should fans be on the lookout for? Kendrick Perkins, who sprained his knee seven minutes into game six, looks a little doubtful to play in Thursday’s game and this could force the Boston Celtics to utilize seldom used players like Shelden Williams and Marquis Daniels.
However it’s not that Perkins has been the only performer for Boston; each Boston player has managed to score in the games so far.
Having said that, the Celtics have truly struggled in the half-court at times during the series, mainly due to Rondo’s reluctance to shoot from the perimeter, and thus, at this stage, it comes down to Rondo to resume his attacking style and go all out at Kobe if Boston are to have any chance in Game 7.
The Lakers on the other hand would have their heads held high as they go into game 7, as game six proved that they have good bench strength, and then they also have the comfort of having none other than Kobe Bryant who is still the best player NBA has to offer. If Bryant can pull off game seven then he is also most likely to bag his second consecutive NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award.
Come Thursday, when the all important match will be played, we can expect nothing less than sheer professionalism from the Celtics who are expected to play like true champions, and with the Lakers standing on the verge of making history, the match is definitely expected to be one that is not for the weak hearted.
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